BEST VARIETIES. 187 



THE BEST VARIETIES . 



The points to consider in selecting varieties are 

 first, earliness or time of maturity ; second, the cer- 

 tainty of their forming good heads. The im- 

 portance of having well grown seed has already 

 been mentioned. This being secured, the choice of 

 varieties is largely a matter of circumstances. A 

 variety which is good for one climate, or for one 

 purpose; may not be good for another. For the 

 early crop, an account of which has already been 

 given, the earliest variety obtainable should be 

 used, as our springs at the North are short enough 

 at best. The Earliest Dwarf Erfurt strains include 

 nearly all the earliest varieties now grown, and, for 

 this country, at least, are the best. The typical 

 variety is usually sold under the name Extra Early 

 Dwarf Erfurt, and if properly selected seed is 

 secured, this is nearly or quite as early as any of 

 the strains which have received special names. 

 Among the best of these latter are Henderson's 

 Snowball, Thorburn's Gilt Edge, and Vick's Ideal, 

 the latter a little the largest and latest. For grow- 

 ing under glass the first two of these varieties are 

 as good as any. The earliest varieties are now often 

 grown also for the fall crop, particularly at the 

 North, by being sown late. Their greater certainty 

 to head on time, and the increased number that can 



